Knesset Speaker uninvites Hungarian counterpart over attendance at memorial for Nazi collaborator
Reuven Rivlin fumes over Laszlo Kover’s attendance at memorial service for notorious anti-Semite author Jozsef Nyiro
Stuart Winer is a breaking news editor at The Times of Israel.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin on Sunday canceled an upcoming visit by his Hungarian counterpart over the latter’s attendance at a memorial service honoring Nazi collaborator, author and parliamentarian Jozsef Nyiro.
Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament Laszlo Kover was supposed to attended a July ceremony marking 100 years since the birth of diplomat Raoul Wallenberg, known for saving thousands during the Holocaust.
However, the invitation has been recalled, and, according to the Hebrew media website Maariv, Kover has been declared persona non grata.
In the letter sent to Kovler, Rivlin wrote of his disappointment over the Hungarian politician’s presence at the memorial service for Nyiro that was held in May.
“We are astonished that you chose to attend the event,” Rivlin (Likud) wrote. “By doing so you have publicly announced your identification with a man whose party, as part of the Hungarian government, collaborated with the murderous Nazis in carrying our their plan to destroy the Jewish people.”
Last week Elie Weisel also condemned the memorial service, which was attended by several Hungarian politicians and dignitaries in honor of Nyiro, an author and a lawmaker in the Nazi-sympathizing Hungarian government during World War II.
The Times of Israel Community.